Most of the 10 commandments are reasonably accepted as part of a civil society and the concepts have been built into the rule of law of Western society. But the Sabbath is a law that gets in the way. The prophet Amos brings that attitude to our attention. “Saying: when will the New Moon be past, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may trade wheat?” (Amos 8:5). The Sabbath got in the way of their all-important personal activities. The seventh day needs to be important to God’s … [Read more...] about Sabbath Sanctity
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Live Life Abundantly
What does it mean to live abundantly? Is it to be blessed beyond measure in money, jewels, or other physical bounty? Is that what Christ meant when he said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). In this same chapter, Christ speaks about His role as Shepherd and the response of the sheep. Sheep were kept in an enclosed courtyard, with a gate or opening at one end. In a sheepfold the shepherd might sleep in the opening at night to … [Read more...] about Live Life Abundantly
How the Church Grows
Just how does the Church, the Body of Christ, grow? As with any living body, to survive, it must grow, or die. We know that the beginning of the Church occurred on the Day of Pentecost, however, once born, how did it grow? God calls individuals and no one can come to Him unless God draws him. However, the body of Christ has a vital role to play in making disciples. The book of Acts is a history of the spreading of the gospel. With concrete examples it documents how the Church expanded. By … [Read more...] about How the Church Grows
Husbands – A New Creation
John 1.1 states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." These two beings decided to make humankind similar to Them: And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:26-27). So human beings are made in the image of the God family. Not just physically or in cognitive capacity, but in … [Read more...] about Husbands – A New Creation
Are You Listening?
How many times have we thought in our minds, “Why doesn’t God just tell me what to do?” If He’s not verbally communicating with us, how do we hear His voice? Sometimes God literally directs our physical path. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6). When we ask for an answer from God it must be according to His principles. For God’s Spirit to work in us, we have to have the right attitude and live according to God’s way. Looking and listening for … [Read more...] about Are You Listening?
Conflict Resolution
We can’t get around the fact that in this world we’ll have conflict. How many times have we said the wrong thing or displayed the wrong attitude, knowing that it has caused offense? Conflict stems from a lack of understanding the different things that motivate each of us: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1 ESV). God’s Holy Spirit can’t come to its fullest when we’re divided, and that disunity corrupts … [Read more...] about Conflict Resolution
Christ’s First Miracle
The first recorded miracle of Jesus Christ was turning water into wine at a wedding celebration. Let’s look at how ancient wedding customs can shed light on the significance of this miracle found in the second chapter of John (John 2.1-10). The account starts with, “On the third day". If we look back to the previous chapter of the book of John, we find that it was the third day since Christ had begun to call His disciples to follow Him, and three days since John the Baptist had acknowledged … [Read more...] about Christ’s First Miracle